[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for communication & media studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Parkside this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $37,107. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,625. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $37,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,212 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,309. That is a strong return on a $24,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $25,990. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $35,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $26,534 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #6 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,455. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,293. Set against $24,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #7 spot for communication & media studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,367. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #8 position for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $41,371. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $37,286. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $38,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #11 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $22,730 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,730 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Mount Mary College landed the #12 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,420. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Mount Mary College generally make around $49,888. That is a strong return on a $26,372 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Saint Norbert College earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,262. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,287. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #14 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $27,172 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value communication & media studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,531 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $36,443. That is a strong return on a $23,531 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
More Communication & Media Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
